Looking back, this year has been a weird one; still complicated with all things Covid, and we’ve also been trying to sell our house and find a new one….this is tricky as it’s meant not just trying to keep our house immaculate (not necessarily its natural state!), but also trying to keep the studio really tidy and ready to view! For a painter, this is definitely not that easy and a big constraint on what you can do! Having resigned ourselves to waiting for the new house-buying season in the spring, suddenly we seem to have a sale… I’m keeping everything crossed, but if all goes well, the next few months are going to be full of packing and sorting, and just trying to figure out how on earth I’m going to manage to move all my studio stuff, never mind packing up the house. Buying and selling in the UK is a slow process compared to what you might be used to in the US for instance, but with a little bit of good luck we might be moving in the Spring, and then there is the excitement of setting up house all over and fixing up my studio space too….which will be a bit of a project, but I can’t wait! More of all that in the new year.

I’ve popped a grid of a small selection of paintings from this year, as much to convince myself that I’ve actually managed to make some work amidst the chaos! This is also part of a process of reviewing work, and looking forward to new ideas, which I tend to do just about now….I’ll go back over my painting notebooks, sketchbooks and look at paintings too, and then start to flesh out some of the areas I want to concentrate on for 2022. This time, I really need to be organised, and try to get as much as possible done before the onset of packing in earnest!

I also feel very lucky to have worked with some great people, some lovely collectors and great galleries this year. A massive highlight was being asked to take part in two different podcasts; Messum’s Online-Northern Voices (bit of a fraud here as I’m actually a Londoner by birth!), and also the very wonderful Authentic Obsessions Podcast with lovely Margret Petrie. If you’re new to following me, and would like to find out a bit more about what makes me tick, you can still have a listen on the following links:

Authentic Obsessions: Jo York
Messum's Online: Northern Voices

I’m also thrilled to be part of a wonderful group show, hosted by the James May Gallery, from Wisconsin in the US in collaboration with Authentic Obsessions Podcast. The show is available throughout the World via their Artsy gallery starting January 7th, and features a fascinating group of artists, all of whom have been featured on AO. Do please make a note of the date in your diary/ phone etc…and check it out when you can!

And finally for 2021! I’m going to have a few quiet weeks now, working in sketchbooks and getting stuck into that planning I’ve been talking about.

Before I go, I want to say how much I appreciate all your support, your messages, comments and feedback and everyone who generally takes an interest in my work…it really means a huge amount! Keep reading the newsletters, and if you haven’t already done so, please follow me on Instagram where I am most active and Facebook too!

Wishing you all a really really happy, healthy and safe Christmas holiday and a wonderful 2022!

Jo xx

©️ All text and images copyright Jo York 2021